PATRIOTIC MATIMEE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2489, 16 June 1915, Page 4

PATRIOTIC MATIMEE

"CINDERELLA" COMPARTS FINE PER-

FORMANCE

"BARDELL V. PICKWICK."

In view of tho fact thai J. 0. Williamson's "Cinderella" Company only arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday of last week the manner in which they "came to light"" yesterday at tlio request of the New Zealand Patriotic Society to' work for the wounded soldiers and sailors redounds to the credit of all concerned. Matinees on off days in Wellington are sometimes a -dubious business proposition, but the splendid performance by popular people combined with the laudable motive behind it accounted for a capital attendance, and the fund should benefit \evy substantially by the effort. To what extent cannot be stated at present owing to the number' of tickets outstanding, nor can it be said which of the "Queen" candidates will benefit most by the sale of the tickets. The arrangement is that the "Queen" Committee disposing of most tickets will receive 50 per cent, of the gross, .takings, the second best 30 per vent., and the third best 20 per cent.

The outstanding feature of a very long and interesting programme was the revival .after a very sleep of the trial scene "Bardell v. Pickwick" frojn Dickens's "Pickwick Papers," one of the most humorous pieces of writing known.to English literature. What was delightful, too, to lovers of Dickens was to note that after the jury was called— (ill well-known men about town —the text was fairly well adhered to. Excellently mellow was the performance of Mr. Jack M'Ardle as Sergeant Buzfuz, a lino assertive old limb of the, law, who bullied and palavered as to the manner born, and always in ths best Dickensian manner. The humour of Sam .Weller w.as realised with rare shrewdness by Mr. Barry Lupino, who was also very amusing as the court usher. Mr. Rupert Darrell was dry and crusty as Judge Fairleigh; Mr. George Thome, jun., was properly nervou. and timid as Nathaniel Winkle, and Mrs. Cluppins was comically ' realised by Mr. Arthur Stigant. Geo. Young was Pickwick, Mr. Leslie Gaze, Sergeant Snubbins; Mr. W; Bennett was tony Weller ; Mr. Charles Albert made a complete .character of the chemist, who was sworn in as foreman of the jury; and Miss Gertie Latchford was Mrs. Bard-=ll (with infant attached).

As for the rest of the programme, it was a very diverting mixture of music, song, dance, and story. , Tho "Cinder- | ella" orchestra played an overture of I patriotic airs. 'and subsequently, led by '•'Professor Pnil. Lupino," conducted a burlesque of "Poet and Peasant." Mr. Leslie Gaze sang "High Jinks," and Mr. Rupert Darrell told yarns, gave a recitation, and gave an impersonation of what ha described as a cornet solo. Even the cornetist in the orchestra looked puzzled. Miss Dorothy Firman sang of love and its delights very sweetly, and Mr. Arthur Stigant extolled the lura that lies in the music of "The Bass Trombone." A welcome number most charmingly sung was "Irish Eyes" (from "Cinderella"), by Miss Minnie Love, who was also associated with Mr. Gaze in the serio duet, "You're Here and .I'm . Here." Miss Dolly Castles spread .herself vocally in "Poor Wandering One," from "The Pirates of Penzance," exhibiting a voice of better quality than was suspected on her showing in the' pantomime. As a conclusion to the first part the beautiful "Wild Flower" ballet from "Cinderella" was danced with delightful freedom by tho Williamson girls, with Miss Maud Amery as the soloist. • In the second part, besides the.trial scene, Tiny Tot Marjorie and Eileen gave their entertaining acrobatic performance: Mr. Keers played variations of "Yankee Doodle" as a, violin solo; Miss Nellie Simpson played'a flute ■solo; Miss Gladys Thomas sang "A Song of Thanksgiving," and Miss Minnie Love again gave pleasure in "I'll Make a Man of You, with the usual military trimmings. A very welcome innovation was the appearance on the stage of Miss Beatrice Day, the popular actress, who recited Oriel's verse 6 on recruiting, and Bret Hart's "The Poet." Finally the audience were given the superb spectacular scene "Britain's Allies and Her Dominions" from "Cinderella," witli Miss Celia Ghiloni as Britannia (with 6ong). Auction Sale. No matinee in these days is complete without an auction'sale "for the funds." Tho goods offercdj had been presented to the various "Queen" candidates, and were served upJ'Hvith Mr. Lupino's piquant sauce, good for young and old. The comedian, who was assisted by Messrs. Jack M'Ardle and James Dykes, was in. excellent form. "Wast that a bid or St". Vitus's dance?" he asked one of tho occupants of a box. "Here's the Now Zealand flag going from here via the Dardanelles to Berlin—who'll give me a bid?" . The list was;as followsltalian flag (with "Aunt Lucy" thrown in), C. H. Izard, £3; J. J.'M'Grath, £2; Dr. Cahill, £2; total, £7. "Salad bowl and service, Mr. 0. H'. Izard, £2; Mr. M.Marks, £1 '55.; total, £3 ss. 'Two boxes grapes and two big bunches of violets, I Mr. W. H. Atack, £1. Silver cakedish, Mr. Louisson, £12. Doll's cot and doll, Mrs. Kennedy, £3. Lady's bag, Miss Minnie Love, 10s. . Cake-dish, Air. Bert Roylo, £1. Camera, Mr. C. H. Izard, £2 55.; Mr. J. Dykes, £2; total, £4 ss. Box cigarettes, "Trentham," £1 (to be sent to the camp). Spirit tantalus, Mr: ChafFe.v, £2 ss. New Zealand flag (from I "Trentham Boys' " Queen Committee), Mrs, Joseph, £25. Silver shoe-horn and button-hook, Mr. W. A. Flavell, 15s. One case 888 pipes, Mr. Sinclair, £1. Case pipes, Miss Campbell, 15s. Smoker's cabinet, Miss Kennedy, £1 15s. Cradle, Mrs. Mitchell, 10s. Stopwatch, Mr. J. M'Grath, £2. New Zealand Flag (presented b.v Mr. Alec Wilson, treasurer of the "Cinderella" Co.), Travellers' Club, £10; Mr. C. H. Izard, £10 10s.; total, £20 10s.

At the conclusion of the programme Mr. H. Gr. Hill (chairman of the Patriotic Society) moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who had assisted in giving so splendid a performance. Messrs. J. C. Williamson had given the theatre free of charge, and the principals, ballet, chorus, orchestra, and stage staffs their services. The auction sales had realised £83 l-ss. Mr. Lupino: "Less my commission!" Sir. Hill: "Which, of course, you intend to add, making the amount ,£100!" (Laughter.)

Mr. Lupino, speaking for the company, said .that what the.v had done was' a pleasure. "The boys are doing noble work for us, and it is right thai we should do our bit for them! ll (Applause.) Mr. Jaok M'Ardlo said that he could endorse what Mr. Lupino had said— they were only too pleased to do what they could for the soldiers. (Applauso and ourtain).